Russian defense minister on Gorshkov and more

Neelam Mathews

Oct 10, 2012

The twelfth meeting of the India-Russia Inter-governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation was held in New Delhi today led by the Defense Minister AK Antony and AE Serdyukov, Defense Minister of the Russian Federation. It may recalled the minister who was scheduled to visit India on Oct 4, deferred it by 6 days as the dates are reported by the media to have coincided with the visit of the Pakistan Army chief General  to Moscow. This seems strange as official visits of dignitaries are generally planned in advance.

"We have handed over the revised overhaul and transfer schedule to the Indian side and we believe that transfer of the ship will take place in the 4th quarter of the 2013," Serdyukov told reporters at the joint press conference after the meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IR-IGMTC).

"The ship encountered big malfunction with the main power plant and the boiler. Right now the ship is relocated to the factory," he said on the present status of the carrier and hoped that it would be ready for sea trials by April next year. On the BrahMos missile joint venture, he said the two countries were working on the "new generation" missiles which have already been inducted into the Indian Army and Navy. "We are looking at capacity of 1,000 pieces for this particular missile for India," he said, 

On the delivery schedule of the FGFA, Serdyukov said, "We are expecting the final certification for the aircraft and initial start of production by the year 2020." "We have handed over the contract to the Indian party and I think it will be considered and approved by the end of this year. The production under licence of Russian equipment is of utmost essence to India," he said.

India and Russia were also expected to discuss ongoing projects for 272 Sukhoi-30MKI fighters and 1,657 T-90 main-battle tanks.     

India also plans to procure 71 new Mi-17 V5 helicopters for IAF and the Ministry of Home Affairs, a paper has reported. The Russian side also wants to work on upgrading the Mi-17 IV helicopters fleet.